Gas safe news 2009
Gas Safe Register warns householders about rogue traders
8th June 2009
Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer
Unscrupulous rogue traders are capitalising on a rising elderly
population and the impact of the credit crunch, warns Gas Safe
Register and Trading Standards Institute today. Advice
for householders is simple - be on the alert for anyone who
claims to be a registered gas
engineer.
Dishonest traders who make false claims about their
qualifications and carry out unsafe gas work could leave hundreds
of (location) householders in danger every year. A survey carried
out for Gas Safe Register, revealed that more than half of
(location) householders trust their gas engineer is registered and
qualified without ever checking their credentials.
An estimated 20,000 gas installers are
operating illegally in Great Britain. Only Gas Safe registered
engineers are able by law to carry out gas work in the home. Gas
Safe Register has see an increase in the number of legal and
competent engineers to 126,000 across Great Britain and the Isle of
Man, exceeding by several thousand the number of installers
registered on the previous scheme.
Every Gas Safe registered engineer has a
photo ID card with a unique licence number, and details of the work
they are qualified to do. To check this information simply enter
the engineer’s licence number on the website or call the helpline
on 0800 408 5500.
“There are no second chances with gas,”
warns Peter Eldridge, chief executive of Gas Safe Register:
Saving pennies by using an illegal installer could cost
yours and your family’s lives. Badly installed, repaired and
maintained gas appliances can cause fires, explosions, gas escapes
and CO poisoning, all of which can kill.
Last year, hundreds of families were affected by careless gas work
and 14 people died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning alone, so
it’s vital that householders should only employ Gas Safe
registered engineers that are qualified and competent for the
job.
The Trading Standards Institute, whose
members work closely with police and community groups to raise
awareness of rogue traders, are delighted that Gas Safe Register is
campaigning to make Great Britain gas safe. A Trading
Standards Institute spokesperson said: “Rogue traders will always
seize an opportunity to carry out shoddy work and rip-off
householders. Gas installation work is no exception and in addition
to being ripped off people’s lives are put at risk. We would advise
all residents to ensure they only use a gas engineer who
carries the Gas Safe card.
To find and check a Gas Safe registered
engineer in your area visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call
0800 408 5500.
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